Linda S. North - The Dreamer, Her Angel and the Stars

by Linda S. North

  Ariel nodded in understanding. They watched the falls for a few minutes more until Kiernan took Ariel’s hand. “Let’s go pick apples.”

  Ariel didn’t remove her hand from Kiernan’s as they walked back to the cart. Coupled with their interaction the previous night in her study, Kiernan couldn’t help but feel some satisfaction. Ariel seemed to be feeling more comfortable around her.

  Kiernan drove the cart back the way they came and wheeled through the opening in the stone fence, drove to the middle of the orchard, and stopped. The twenty trees sported low branches gnarled from age, but they were loaded with a lot of reddish apples as well as some still green with only a blush of red.

  “The Jonathans are ripe now. The Romes won’t be ready for another couple of weeks.” Kiernan took the basket from behind the seat and walked through the ankle-length grass to the nearest tree. The limbs were low enough for her to examine the fruit. She picked a few, and Ariel assisted her until they filled the basket.

  Near a tree trunk, Kiernan set down the basket and picked out an apple. She leaned against the rough, brown trunk, wiped the apple clean on her shirt, and took a bite, gazing at Ariel as she chewed. She twisted the apple in her hand until the side not bitten was visible and held it up to Ariel’s mouth. Full lips touched the rose skin of the fruit, and the flash of white teeth crunched through the ivory flesh. Kiernan inhaled and held her breath, and liquid heat flooded her veins. Ariel’s eyes were half-lidded, and her face fused with pleasure as she chewed. There was a bit of fruit on her mouth, and Kiernan couldn’t help but reach up to remove it, brushing her fingertips against the soft, full lips. Her fingers strayed and gently caressed the dark spot above the left corner, feeling a slight bump. She longed to touch that spot with her tongue and kiss those lips, opening them for her to enter and claim Ariel as her own.

  “Ariel.” The name came unbidden, caressing her tongue and throat as it escaped. She wasn’t sure she spoke it aloud until Ariel ceased chewing, her eyes nervously darting away from Kiernan.

  There was a moment of stillness backdropped by the high trilling of insects in the grass, and the faint rub of leaves in the trees.

  A sudden rush of icy anxiety raced through Kiernan’s veins. She realized that openly showing her desire disquieted Ariel. “I think that’s enough for this morning. Let’s head on back.” Ariel wouldn’t meet her eyes.

  The ride down the mountain was one of silence. Ariel sat next to her as if frozen in ice, her eyes distant and cold.

  THE WISPY PULLS of cottony mist evaporated in the morning sun as Ariel ambled through the entrance of the worn, gray stone orchard fence. She glimpsed the glistening rainbow diamonds of dew strung along the strands of a spider’s web bridging a blackberry bramble and the edge of the stone fence wall. She walked toward the heart of the orchard, where the old monarchs grew with their gnarled limbs heavy with fruit. Kiernan leaned against the rough bark of the oldest of them. Her eyes were deep green pools full of mystery and secrets. Her smile was one of welcome and promises.

  Kiernan said nothing but held a red apple in her hand, as an offering to her. No words were spoken and no sound was heard except the early chorus of distant birds welcoming the morning sun.

  Halting in front of the silent figure, Ariel took Kiernan’s wrist in her hand, feeling the throb of pulse where she pressed her thumb. Bringing the hand with the apple up against her mouth, she flicked her tongue against the fruit’s tender skin before slowly sinking her teeth into the crisp, ripe flesh, tearing a chunk free and chewing. The sweet flavor of apple flooded her mouth. She closed her eyes, still holding the hand offering her the fruit.

  The feel of warm fingers caressed a piece of apple from her mouth, and she opened her eyes. The face before her was rapt with desire, eyes smoldering, lips partly open to say, “Ariel.”

  The sound of her name flooded her senses, tilting her world on its axis, pulling her into a new orbit around those eyes and mouth. She fell from orbit and descended, placing her lips against the inviting softness, demanding entrance with a tentative touch of the tip of her tongue. Entrance was granted, and she trembled from the taste and feel, liquid heat coursing to her center, bringing forth a rumble from deep within her chest.

  She surrendered herself to the moment and to the feeling, pulling the hand she held, now free of the apple, to the waistband of her pants, pushing it between the rough denim and warm flesh to that place aching for a firm touch. The nimble fingers found that aching place, the touch of them firm and hot as she arched into them, seeking sweet release.

  The first wave broke and shook her body. Her eyes flew open. She saw the grayness of the early morning and the darker shapes of objects in her room. She stroked her fingers rapidly against her aching need and broke beneath yet another surge, her cry of release almost breathless.

  She removed her wet fingers from her vagina and rolled onto her side, feeling confused by her dream and wondering if she were a betrayer. Her subconscious didn’t lie. She was attracted to Kiernan in a visceral way. A pang of anxiety struck when she realized as much as she could crush this attraction during her waking hours, she couldn’t when asleep. She must always remember what Kiernan had done and not let this physical attraction trick her into emotional feelings. Believing Kiernan was anything different from what she was—a conniving and vindictive bitch—would only cause trouble. She had better keep her distance. Then maybe the—attraction—would go away.

  Chapter Eighteen

  ARIEL SAT NEXT to the chauffeur, Michael, while he drove Crestview Estate’s big, dually four-wheel drive pickup truck to take her to visit her mother. Michael had offered up one of Kiernan’s two limousines, but Ariel didn’t want to take the chance of drawing the attention of any of the media lurking around. Fortunately, for the last two weeks, the media had been leaving her family alone, partly because her mother’s neighbors would call the police and complain the media vehicles were blocking the parking places in front of their homes and driveways. A few neighbors took it on themselves to block in any media vehicles with their own vehicles, making it impossible for them to leave without seeking out the neighbors responsible and getting an earful. The previous week, the neighborhood association received permission from the city to declare the curbs in front of residences as private parking areas. The police enforced this by ticketing and towing away any unauthorized vehicles. Ariel had a suspicion Kiernan was behind this effort because the city was so willing to cooperate.

  She called her mother the night before, telling her she was coming over to pick up her motorcycle and IMP, visit for a while, and then go riding. Her family had visited three times during her recuperation from her illness—the last time was a week ago. She had been calling her mother and siblings every other night to say hello. She tried to keep the conversations brief as her mother had a tendency to ask personal questions about how she was getting along with Kiernan. Ariel always answered with a vague reply, usually saying ‘okay,’ and hurriedly changed the subject to how the twins were doing in school or asked about the latest neighborhood gossip.

  There was another person she missed. Mysha. She’d deliberately put off contacting Mysha, partly due to her illness rendering her unable to cope with something so potentially upsetting. She didn’t know whether she could have dealt with the drama, and trauma, of facing Mysha and telling her the reason for what she had done. She was stronger now, and offering Mysha an explanation was important, and she couldn’t put it off any longer. She wasn’t looking forward to Mysha’s reaction, expecting the worst. She couldn’t blame Mysha if she refused to see her.

  Michael pulled the truck into the driveway. Ariel got out. “Thanks, Michael.”

  “Anytime you need to go anywhere let me know.”

  Ariel hurried up the steps, palmed the keypad lock, and opened the door with a loud and excited, “I’m home!”

  “I see you are.” Joanna said affectionately. She hugged her, and keeping her arms around Ariel, she leaned back, examining her closel
y. “You’re looking good. You’re not overdoing it, are you? You know you have to take it easy and not ride your motorcycle all over creation.”

  “Yes, Mom. I don’t think it will kill me to go riding and get some fresh air.” She took a seat on the living room couch.

  Her mother asked, “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “No, I’m okay. You don’t have to wait on me. I know where the kitchen is.”

  Joanna said sheepishly, “Yes, I suppose you do.” She hesitated before asking, “How are things—really?”

  “Okay, I guess. It’s kind of boring with nothing to do except read or go online.” She paused. “I’m thinking about taking classes for an aerospace engineering degree.”

  “Oh?”

  “Kiernan said she’ll have the project on her light-speed ship up and running in two years and wants to hire me as a design engineer.”

  “How do you feel about doing that kind of work?”

  “I think it’ll be interesting, and I would enjoy it. Of course, I can probably go back to teaching physics after the baby—” Ariel couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence.

  For a few seconds her mother didn’t say anything. Ariel saw sadness flash across her face before she said, “You always did have a thing for spaceships. Do you mind me asking how you and Kiernan are getting along?”

  “Now that she’s back at work I don’t see much of her.” Of course, that was Ariel’s doing. Ever since that day in the orchard she wanted to distance herself from Kiernan, fearing Kiernan would seek her out for sex, and, she might not be averse to complying. She no longer wanted to talk about Kiernan, so changed the subject. “Didn’t you tell me the other night Seth and Leigh are due for their first report cards?”

  “They should be out this Friday. I’ve received good feedback from their teachers, so I’m expecting good report cards. They should be home at three today and would love to see you.”

  “I’d love to see them too, but I want to go riding before dark.” She was silent for a moment while contemplating how to broach a subject she knew was awkward. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Mom, I know you’re out searching for a job. I want to help until you find one. In fact, if you don’t want to go back to work—”

  “No, Ariel. I’ll not accept money from you.”

  “Why not? I always helped with the bills before.”

  “When you were living here.”

  “Please, Mom. I know you won’t touch the money Kiernan gave you. But this is my money, and it’s more than I could spend in ten life times. I want you to have some of it.”

  “Money Kiernan gave you?”

  “Yes. Why not use it,” Ariel said in a bitter tone. “I have no job, and I’ll be earning it soon enough.”

  “Sweetheart, I’m—”

  “I’ll put some funds in my checking account at the County Employee’s Credit Union. Don’t forget, your name is also on the account, and if ever you need it, please use it. You don’t even have to get my permission.”

  “I still have funds in savings. And I also have my application in at four places for a full-time position, so maybe I’ll find a job soon.”

  “Just in case—okay?”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  Ariel knew she’d said about as much as she could on the subject and went on to something else. “Anything of interest happen lately?”

  For a few seconds, Joanna was silent. “Mysha called me two days ago.”

  Ariel stopped breathing for a moment. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t want to do it over the phone. I wanted to tell you in person.”

  “What did she say? What happened?”

  “She wanted to know why you married Kiernan.”

  “Go on.”

  “I told her you had your reasons, and I wasn’t at liberty to divulge them. She asked me for the number at Crestview. I refused, of course. She then said for you to contact her and tell her why. She said you owed her an explanation.”

  Ariel said with an ache in her voice, “I’m so sorry I put you in that position.”

  “No, Ariel. It wasn’t you who put me in that position.”

  ARIEL TUCKED THE bottom of her favorite black Harley-Davidson t-shirt into her well-worn riding jeans. Wearing this shirt with its flaming skull below the Harley logo always made her feel dangerous and slightly sinister. She sat on the edge of her bed, pulled on her black riding boots, and then stood up and stomped her feet a few times to get them to settle into the boots.

  She surveyed her old room. Everything was as she left it, even the stuffed gray bulldog wearing a black jacket and black motorcycle cap sitting on her dresser top. She picked it up, feeling her heart lurch. Mysha gave it to her on the first night they made love. She opened the top drawer of her dresser, put the bulldog in, and closed the drawer.

  Sitting back down on her bed, she reached over to her bedside table for her IMP. There were seventeen calls from Mysha. She couldn’t bring herself to listen to them now.

  Today would only be half a workday for Mysha, and she should be home. She clicked the activate button, her voice shaky. “Contact Mysha Leavill.” Anxiety made her palms sweat, and she wiped them on her jeans.

  After two beeps Mysha answered, “Ariel.” Mysha’s face on the screen seemed surprised.

  “Mysha, I’m coming over.”

  “When?”

  “Now.”

  “I’ll be here.” Mysha cut the connection.

  Ariel waited a few seconds for her heartbeat to slow before hurrying down the hall to the kitchen. Her mother was cleaning out the refrigerator. “Mom, I’m going riding.”

  Joanna pulled her head out of the fridge and kissed her daughter’s cheek. “Don’t overdo it, and call me.”

  “I will. I’ll be over next week and pick up my car.” She went into the living room, removed her black jacket from the coat rack, and put it on. She took her helmet from its peg on the wall, opened the front door, and said on her way out, “Later.”

  THE WHITISH PATCHES of bark on the bare sycamores in front of Mysha’s apartment made them appear as skeletal sentinels silhouetted against the gray October sky. They reminded Ariel of the bleak, surreal landscape she would expect to see in an old black and white noir film. Sometimes she wondered whether she had stepped into such a movie, forced to remain until the desolate and forlorn ending.

  She parked her Harley by the curb and put her mind on automatic to enable her to walk up to Mysha’s door. Before her finger touched the doorbell, the door swung open, and Mysha filled the doorway, her face cold and austere. Both remained silent, staring at the other. The dark and accusing look in Mysha’s eyes cut Ariel to the marrow. She was flooded with shame and guilt.

  Mysha moved aside and motioned with her head for Ariel to enter through the door into what was once a place of warmth, caring, sharing, and, yes, the discovery of passion. Contemplating briefly the walls and furnishings, she expected to hear some echo of those things, but there was only silence, pregnant with reproach at her betrayal.

  She focused once more on Mysha, seeing in her eyes the soft brown of a wounded doe.

  “Why?” Mysha asked in a voice laden with sorrow. She clicked the door shut and leaned against it.

  “It was the only way to save my mother from going to prison for corporate espionage.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “It’s the truth. I did it for my family.”

  “You know, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing in the media. It didn’t make sense for you to marry O’Shay after meeting her just twice. Why would O’Shay want to marry someone she met on only two occasions? No way. She’s from a totally different world from us. She moves among the rich and famous and can have her pick of any available woman who moves in her circle. Why you?”

  Ariel was at a loss as to what to say. “I—I can give you only my reasons—as I told you—”

  “To save your mother. You want me to believe Kiernan O’Shay cam
e to you and said, ‘If you marry me, I won’t prosecute your mother’?”

  Ariel swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. “No. I went to her and offered to marry her if she didn’t prosecute my mother.”

  “What? That has to be the craziest thing I’ve ever heard! What gave you the idea she would accept?” Mysha shook her head in denial.

  “I can’t give you her reasons for accepting.”

  Mysha placed her hands on her hips and searched Ariel’s face derisively.

  “It’s the truth, Mysha. I’m not lying.”

  Mysha’s laugh was mirthless. “Yeah, right. She might make a deal to fuck you for a while. But marry you? You’re not rich or famous—what’s in it for her?”

  “Please, try to understand—” Tears threatened to flow and Ariel fought to keep her composure.

  “No! You knew I would help. You should have waited until I got home and let me find a way to help you and your mother out of this situation.”

  “I was afraid my mother might be arrested right away and this would hit the media. I couldn’t let that happen. Please understand.”

  “I understand perfectly! I was falling in love with you. I’m glad I found out what you really are before it was too late.”

  “Mysha, honestly, I care for you—”

  “Honestly? Be honest, Ariel, how many times did you meet on the weeknights with her?”

  “What are you saying?”

  “What I’m saying is this story you’ve concocted about not being interested in O’Shay when she asked you for a date is just that, a story. You may have refused at first, but later changed your mind and started seeing her—”

  “That’s not true! I would never do anything like that!”

  “Before long, you were involved with her. Maybe your mother did get caught stealing secrets—or was framed. But I bet that’s all beside the point. You already had O’Shay hooked on your sweet and innocent act and probably hooked on something else as well.” She gave Ariel’s body a salacious once-over. “Probably got her in bed and sweet talked her into dropping charges while you were fucking her brains out and also fucked a marriage proposal out of her—”